Two Weeks (The Baxter Family #5)(51)

A shot of fear ran through him. Elise! Where was she?

The prom king and queen process had taken far too long. He scanned the dance floor and found her leaning against the back wall. Their eyes met, and as soon as Cole saw her understanding smile, relief flooded his heart. He hurried to her and led her to the dance floor, where they stayed until the very last song. Never mind Carolyn Everly or Liberty or his title as prom king. Years from now there was only one thing he would remember about tonight’s prom.

The way it felt to have Elise Walker in his arms.





15




Elise waited till Tuesday afternoon to visit the lawyer. Cole had a baseball game in Indianapolis that day. He wouldn’t be home till eight or later. Already Elise had spoken by phone with the man—Alan Green.

“I want to place my baby for adoption,” Elise had said during their call. She used the wording from the lawyer’s website. A girl didn’t give up her baby. She placed the baby in an adoptive home. Elise liked that. It was something she could do for her baby. More intentional.

The attorney sounded kind and patient. “You’ll have time to change your mind.” His tone was warm, like the way she pictured the gentle waves on some distant Caribbean shore. “It’s important that this is your decision, Elise. Only yours.”

She explained that she had no way to get to his office. Her aunt and uncle didn’t know about the baby and she had no one else. Of course she wouldn’t think of having Cole or his mother take her. Like Mr. Green had said, this was a choice she had to make on her own.

So the attorney had arranged for Helen, his secretary, to pick up Elise this afternoon, at the park across the street from school. Her stomach had hurt all day. She was sure about her decision, but that didn’t make it easy. Elise was waiting in the meeting spot near the park entrance when she felt something sudden and fluttery.

Like butterfly wings on the inside of her stomach.

At first she thought maybe it was hunger pains. But then it happened again and Elise gasped. It was her baby! The doctor had said she’d be feeling it move soon. So that’s what this had to be. As if her baby were crying out to her, Don’t place me somewhere else. Please keep me.

Tears stung Elise’s eyes. Or maybe the baby was saying something else. Thank you for doing this. My life will be wonderful with the right parents.

Elise wasn’t sure which to believe, but she chose the second one. Yes, that was it. Her baby was thanking her. What sort of life would she give a newborn? When all she wanted was to get to New York City and start her own life?

At the exact right time, a gray-haired woman pulled up and rolled down her window. “Elise?”

“Yes.” She felt instantly comfortable. “Thank you.”

Elise couldn’t remember what they talked about on the ride to the lawyer’s office on the other side of Bloomington. All she could think about was the life inside her. The very real life. Moving and stretching and reminding her of the truth.

Her baby would be here all too soon.

Mr. Green was younger than Elise had expected, and his whole attitude very compassionate. He and his secretary sat at a long wooden table across from Elise. Between them were four large scrapbooks. Adoptive parent profiles, the attorney had told her.

“Let’s start with that one.” He leaned forward and pointed to one of the books. “Those are parents waiting for a baby.”

Elise opened the book. The first page held the photo of an older couple. A quick glance told her that they had raised their two children. Now they were hoping to have another baby or two. A quote beneath their photo said: We loved being parents once, so we want to be parents again. Before we’re too old.

“Hmmm.” Elise turned the page. Then she flipped through a few others. Every page held the profile of a couple waiting for a baby. “There’re . . . so many.” The idea of choosing one was suddenly overwhelming.

“Take your time.” Mr. Green stood. “I have a phone meeting in the other room.” He looked from Elise to his secretary. “Helen will stay with you. In case you have any questions.” He paused. “There is one couple I’d like to recommend.”

Elise was grateful. How was she supposed to pick the right parents? She could be here all week and not have time to read all the profiles. “Yes.” She remembered to breathe. “I’d like that.”

Mr. Green walked around the table and stood beside Elise. Then he turned to the last pages in the book. “Here.” He pointed to a profile. “I have a special feeling about this couple. How about you start with them?” He stepped back and headed for his office. “I’ll be back in half an hour.”

“Thank you.” Elise stared at the photo. The couple looked young and happy. They both had blond hair and warm blue eyes. The husband looked a little like Cole Blake, the way Cole might look ten years from now. The longer she studied them, the more they almost looked familiar. From somewhere inside her heart, Elise felt a connection take root. She looked to the top of the profile.

Aaron and Lucy Williams.

Nice, Elise thought. She’d always liked the name Lucy. She lifted her eyes to Helen. The woman was working on a file of papers. “Have you met them? This couple?” She tilted the book so the secretary could see the profile. “Aaron and Lucy?”

“Yes.” Helen smiled. “They were in the other day. I like them a lot.”